Disclaimer: not mine, if it were, Fred would not have died! o_O
A/N: A special birthday treat for myself. Took me two nights to write. Hope it makes sense?
Ten
Narcissa opened her letter by Owl over breakfast and sipped her cup of tea. Lucius was admiring the weather and contemplating if he should visit the Ministry to see Fudge. She read the hurried scrawl on the letter and put her tea down. Her fingers shook but she resolved herself quickly. Thankfully, Lucius had noticed nothing.
Narcissa,
Draco knows. I thought I better warn you. I can explain everything in person.
Meet me at dusk tonight at Kendall's Secrets.
Severus
"What's that?" Lucius said, appearing from behind her. Narcissa torched it with her wand and shook her head. "Was it from Draco?" Lucius asked concerned.
"No, it was just from Andromeda, trying to make peace as usual." Narcissa said, trying to bring her smile back to her features, but it felt like a large creature was sitting on her.
Draco knows.
"Where are you going?"
"I have to run some errands. I-I'll see you later dear." She kissed his cheek softly and grabbed her coat, leaving Lucius behind looking dazed.
0o0o
Draco's head was reeling. He'd accepted Potter as his brother. What was he thinking? What in the world made him walk into the Hospital wing like that and tell Potter that he wanted to be his brother?
Draco sat in the library trying to do his Charms assignment but he couldn't concentrate. All he could think of was Potter and how they had shaken hands, both agreeing to stop resisting the curse Dumbledore had inflicted on them. Curse. He wondered what Potter was calling it.
Draco looked out the window and saw Crabbe, Goyle and Nott sitting in the quadrangle teasing Hermione Granger who sat nearby. Goyle had pinched her book and wasn't giving it back. Draco wondered whatever compelled her into wearing her hair like that...long, bushy and out of control? None of the Slytherin girls had un-tidy hair. Pansy's was short and neat. Daphne's was always in plaits. Draco's mind wandered as he stared at his classmates. Hermione finally gave up and stormed off towards him with tears in her eyes.
Draco thought he saw her eyes meet his so he ducked his head and resumed reading.
The subject was not enthralling.
Draco thought about how he hadn't replied to his Mother's recent letters and thought of her reaction when she realised he wasn't ever going to respond. Yes they had said she only wanted to protect him, but that still meant she chose to give him up. Draco watched his friends leave the quadrangle as gusts of wind made the windows rattle.
"Did you put them up to that?" Draco twisted around quickly to see Hermione glaring down at him. She wiped her tear-soaked face with the back of her hand, but Draco was too petrified to speak. In her other hand she held her wand and she looked like she could use it.
Draco tripped over his words as he tried to think of a suitable reply. Hermione tilted her head and Draco noticed her foot tapping impatiently. "I swear I've been here the whole time." Draco finished feebly. Hermione glared at him and sat down in a heap next to Draco's pile of unsorted Charm books. Draco edge sideways a little, not quite sure whether he should leave or stay. She didn't seem to notice him stand and pile the books back onto the shelf. As he turned to leave she looked up. "I need that book; it's for tomorrow's transfiguration. Leave it on the Gryffindor table at the feast tonight and maybe I won't tell everyone you're related to Harry."
Draco's head turned slowly. How did she know? How did the mudblood know? Draco knew from his own experiences that Harry couldn't speak of their ordeal. Instead he inclined his head without a word.
0o0o
Severus waited in the cold, his long black cloak camouflaging him beneath the shadows of Kendall's Secrets. Knockturn Alley was eerie at night, without the usual bustle of witches and wizards dark enough to pass through this way. The only other beings nearby was a witch trying to persuade a Goblin to buy a Love Potion. Severus rolled his eyes. Thankfully his toes weren't freezing off due to his warmth spell he had cast half an hour previously. As he waited for Narcissa to join him he thought of what he was going to say. They both new this situation could arise, but it was still too early. Draco hadn't even reached his teens.
"Severus?" Narcissa appeared by his elbow and he turned to face her. Waving his wand over the door, Severus entered and allowed Narcissa to follow. "H-how did he find out?" Her eyes were fearful. Severus put a hand to his lips, with lit wand illuminating the store.
Narcissa peered at the glass cabinets containing rare objects she had never noticed in their last visit. She wiped a finger along the top of the cabinet and turned her nose in the air, dust! Did no-one in this alley clean? Lucius would have a fit.
"Kendall." Severus drawled. A tall slender figure came forward. She had wavy brown hair which fell past her shoulders and green eyes which shone against her dark skin. "Severus, why didn't you tell me you were coming?" Her manner was very sophisticated and pleasant. Narcissa watched her, taking in her robes and bangles. She had never actually met the owner of Kendall's Secret's before. It was always empty. "Back from South Africa already?" Kendall swept in and touched his arm softly in greeting.
"Yes, I would have loved to stay longer but one must come back to real life." She flashed him a cheeky smile. "Ah, why Narcissa Malfoy, what do I owe the pleasure?" Narcissa held her hand out to shake hesitantly and Kendall squeezed it tenderly. "I haven't seen you since you were in First year. I must say, after that I was too busy with NEWTS and then of course, building this business..."
"I've kept the shop in check, Kendall, just dropping in to water the plants as requested." Severus said waving his wand in the air and making the water can nearby sprinkle a shower of water over the large potted plants hanging from the ceiling.
"Ah, yes of course, but you both must stay for tea!" She crossed her arms looking thoroughly pleased with having their company. Severus glanced at Narcissa with raised eyebrows and she shrugged. Their discussing Draco's needs would not be very great discussion in front of a basic stranger.
Narcissa inclined her head and followed Snape to the table.
After a somewhat lengthy tea where Kendall had explained in very specific detail the reasons behind her trip, Narcissa and Severus begged their leave. As Kendall closed the door to her shop, Narcissa turned to him. "What are we going to do?"
"Not here, take my arm." Narcissa did so.
"I have somewhere in mind." Severus smiled down at her and after a few steps forward he twisted with a flick of his wand and apparated. It was this that Lucius Malfoy saw, hovering in the shadows near Borgin and Burkes, fury in his eyes.
0o0o
Harry's head had returned to normal by the next day. He still didn't know why he had collapsed with symptoms of a major migraine. At breakfast, Hermione was pleased to see a textbook was waiting for her on the table. She packed it away safely in her bag before telling him and Ron to make sure they eat brain food to help them ace their tests. Brain food was not what he wanted. Ron was already helping himself to bacon, sausage, eggs and tomatoes. Harry smiled to himself, how in the world did he eat so much?
Hermione passed Harry a plate of Muesli and a spoon.
"I'll pass." Harry said it looked worse than anything the Dursley's gave him. Harry helped himself to a smaller plate of what Ron had.
"Well don't say I didn't warn you." Hermione huffed.
Dumbledore's speech wasn't very riveting that morning. As Harry ate his fill, he noticed Professor Quirrell in deep conversation with Professor Snape. Snape did not look pleased, in fact he caught Harry's eye and Harry looked back to his plate until he was sure he'd looked away. He had never liked him. Professor Snape. And he knew the latter felt the same.
Harry's eyes caught Draco's just as Ron punched him. "I said," Ron said impatiently. "We haven't seen Hagrid in ages, why don't we go down before classes." Harry nodded; it was true he hadn't seen him since the Hogwarts Express.
Ron, Hermione and Harry hurried down the grassy hill toward Hagrid's house. An enormous dog was sun-baking outside and lumbered up to them. Harry scratched its ears, while Ron hovered behind Hermione. Hagrid's door bounced off its hinges. "HARRY!"
Harry grinned as Hagrid ran down the steps and gave him a hug. Ron and Hermione watched in amazement. "Well don' just stand there. Come on in!" He said waving his hands and pointing at the door. "Just made rock-cakes, you'll love them. In ye go, Fang."
"Fang?" Ron asked following the others into the cabin after Fang.
"Aye, Fang. I got him just when he was a pup but that aint' important. Tell me more about yourselves. Favourite subject? Worst subject? That kind of thing?" Hermione dove right into the deep end. Hagrid chuckled to himself as he passed out the rock-cakes. Ron took a bite and almost lost his teeth. He gave the rest to Fang to chew on. Harry nibbled his; it came away with more of his slobber than anything else. Hagrid, still chatting, turned around to boil the kettle and get four mugs down to put the tea in. Fang was content resting on Hermione's feet. "So, what about you Harry?" Hagrid asked, sitting back down.
"I can tell you one." Ron interrupted. "Worst teacher and subject: Professor Snape/Potions."
Hagrid chuckled to himself. "Aye, he is very strict but that is his way of teaching."
"He's rude and intolerant and not very patient..." Hermione started.
"He's a Slytherin. You'll find not many are."
Harry wished he could tell Hagrid about his and Draco's secret and ask how his mother ever fell in love with Snape, but the spell prevented him in getting any nearer to the truth, and he doubted Hagrid could benefit from charades. Ron and Hermione were the exception.
When they had finished their tea and rid themselves of the rock-cakes when Hagrid wasn't looking (Ron's went out the open window, Harry's buried in the pot-plant and Hermione fed to Fang), they took their leave. Harry felt much better when they arrived in the castle with five minutes to spare before Transfiguration.
Professor McGonagall focussed mainly on theory that lesson. Harry almost wished he eaten the muesli until Hermione offered him a Muesli bar as his head nodded off his hand, where he'd been resting his eyes. Ron was snoring quietly beside him, drool dribbling down his arm. Harry elbowed him sleepily as Professor McGonagall looked their way.
There was a screech and Harry thought he was dreaming. He jerked up and Ron was looking blearily toward him. Dean, Seamus and Hermione were staring at the doorway. Flying toward him were two large grey owls carrying a thin package, they dropped the package in Harry's puzzled hands and the shorter of the two dropped a small scroll on the table.
To match your new Gryffindor robes.
Ron's eyes lit up as he read the note over Harry's shoulder. Hermione looked on curiously with the rest of the class. Draco muttered a snide remark behind Hermione but Harry didn't notice, he was too busy peeling back the wrapping and staring in utter bewilderment at the most magical thing he had ever witnessed. His very own, Quidditch broom.
"I don't believe it. It's an actual Nimbus 2000!" Ron's voice rasped as the class 'Ohed' and 'Ahed'.
"It's got to be from Dumbledore." Lavender Brown stated matter-factly.
"Or from Hagrid?" Ron said, "If it was, I'm going down there more often."
"I don't think Hagrid could afford that, Ron." Hermione whispered.
Harry looked up at Professor McGonagall who smiled and returned to the board. She had not said a word while he unwrapped his 'mail' but Harry knew the true sender was standing right in front of him. He mouthed a thank you and tried to focus on the new quiz questions on the projector.
"Can I hold it Harry?" Dean Thomas asked. There was a murmur from other students who agreed.
"Now, now, there's plenty of time after class." McGonagall had a certain admiration in her voice and thought the class groaned they also did as they were told. Being in McGonagall's bad books was not what one aimed to do, or the consequences would be like dining with Professor Snape with a crab attached to your nose.
As Harry walked through the halls, tightly holding his broom in his hand, and receiving awed looks from students of all ages, Harry felt a certain pride or something similar ripple through his body. He noticed Draco didn't look happy. It wasn't as if he was trying to outshine him, it wasn't his fault he actually found something he was better at, than Draco Malfoy. Still, he couldn't hide his sheer joy any longer. He handed out his Nimbus to those eager students waiting for him in the Gryffindor common room and sat back to admire it.
"You'll be the youngest seeker in a century." Ron said proudly.
Hermione looked pleased. "And you were worried about not fitting in." She whispered. Harry shrugged off her comment and wondered when Quidditch practice would be.
"Harry Potter?" There was a hush and the common room grew quiet as Oliver Wood. A Strapping fifth year beamed at him. "I'm Oliver Wood, Captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch Team. McGonagall has told me so much about you already, how would you like to come down to get some flying practice in?" Harry nodded and stole his broom back. There was a collective moan but it soon grew into a murmur of interest as the Gryffindor's followed Harry and the rest of the team down to the Quidditch Pitch to watch.
Harry nervously kicked off the ground and soared above the students who cheered below him. It was particularly good conditions so Oliver kept saying and he game... the game? ...Harry had completely forgotten that now he was a member of the team he would actually be expected to play in front of the entire school. He nervously sat there, waiting for Oliver to tell him what to do. Fred and George joined him grinning and muttering words of encouragement.
"If Wood starts shouting at you just ignore him."
"At least that's what we do." Fred swung his beater bat back and forth and Harry smiled. Three girls joined them. George and Fred introduced him as Oliver finally joined them.
"Angelina Johnson still refuses to go on a date with me." Fred said as a dark skinned girl screwed up her nose and said hello, nice to meet you.
"Alicia Spinnet," George added, pointing at a girl with blond straight hair and friendly smile.
"Hi Harry, welcome to the team."
"That's Katie Bell." George whispered, "Best chaser we've ever had."
"Thanks George."
"Ok we've met each, other? Perfect. Ok Harry I'm releasing the snitch, forget the crowd below, just focus on it and we'll see how you go." Harry nodded, taking a deep breath.
Harry did as Oliver had said. He focussed on the snitch, he did not see the crowd expand, there were not only Gryffindor's watching his first practice, word had spread.
0o0o
Draco Malfoy stood on the pitch, jealousy surging through his veins. First years weren't allowed to be on the Quidditch team, so why did this rule not apply to him.
Because, he's the boy that lived.
Draco folded his arms, his eyes narrowed, whilst Harry suddenly shot through the clouds.
Even Goyle had said he was a better flier than he? (Although, not to his face).
Harry returned to reality, the snitch snug between his fingers as the crowd below him roared.
Show off
Draco was about to leave when he noticed Professor Quirrell entering the Forbidden Forrest. Shaking off Crabbe and Goyle he followed at a distance. Another figure appeared and confronted Quirrell. Draco recognised him as soon as he spoke.
"Why are you here Quirrell? You had no interest in teaching for more than a year."
Professor Quirrell's stuttering had disappeared, which Draco thought strange. "My business was discussed with Professor Dumbledore, it is not my fault you were not made aware of this. Now leave, I do not need assistance on my walk through the woods."
"These woods are forbidden to students and teachers-"
"Not teachers. I believe Dumbledore actually gave me permission as it assists with my plant diaries."
"What are you up to?" Snape said suspiciously.
Quirrell smiled pleasantly. "I've told you already."
"I still don't trust you,"
"I do not need or want your trust, so long as Professor Dumbledore has mine."
Snape suddenly flashed his robes over his shoulder and held his wand high in the air.
"I heed you with my warning then. If I see you up to anything suspicious I will notify Dumbledore and you better watch your back."
Draco felt an odd shiver roll down his spine.
Pride? Fear?
Quirrell smirked as he watched Snape retrace his steps. "If only you knew." He murmured. Confused, Draco followed deeper within the shadows. The noise of the quidditch pitch was left behind him.
The crackle of the sticks beneath his feet, made Draco hold his breath, hoping Quirrell hadn't heard.
Draco twisted passed raking branches and cobwebs as large as his room and wondered why he had followed Quirrell so far into the forest willingly. It was forbidden after all, forbidden because there were animals or creatures which were not appreciative of Wizards' abilities.
Lucius had always told him they were ignorant. Uncivilized. Now he wasn't so sure. He saw their eyes glowing in the canopies and his feet were heavy. He almost didn't want to go on, but if he didn't he wouldn't see what Quirrell was up to and he had never seen Snape like that before.
A/N: Review if you wish me to continue. I know you want to!
Thank you for those who have already.
OMG cliff hanger!
What will happen to Draco?
Will Harry and Draco actually get on in the next chapter?
Will Draco forgive Snape?
Will Lucius find out what's really going on with his wife and Severus?
What is Quirrell up to?
Mwhahaha ... you'll have to wait for the next chapter! I'll try to get it done this week between my party celebrations.